Water loving birds at an urban park!

Pair of tree swallows perched on a old stump next to the marsh.

all photos by Jonathan Schechter

Robert H. Long Nature Park

April 4th 2012

This blog is a photo supplement to my hiking column that appears in the April 15th edition of The Oakland Press. That tale explores the trail and wildlife of a small wetland rich urban nature park in Commerce Township, Michigan on the west side of bustling M5 and equally busy 14 Mile Road.
Nature always struggles to find a way and for many species of birds that need water as part of their habitat this park has become their oasis.

Canada geese behind the thistles.

Great blue heron still hunts in the shallows

How does a mute swan cross a trail? Just waddles across.

A pair of mallards basks in sunlight creating a perfect reflection.

A perfect line up of goose, swan and heron!

When I knelt by the water this goose swam in the edge and told me to leave.

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About Me

Jonathan Schechter, a naturalist and resident of Brandon Township with a passion for outdoor adventure and severe weather events writes a weekly hiking column for the Oakland Press. He lives on 11 acres with a rich mix of wildlife, meadows, woods and wetlands. He has a Master of Science Degree in Forest Resources from the U. of Washington and is an active member of the Wilderness Medical Society certified in Advanced Wilderness Life Support. His writings and nature photos reveal ways humans are subtly yet dynamically altering the behavior of wildlife leading to a corruption of nature's way and wildlife behavior. Join his Earth Almanac blog as Jonathan shares thoughts on our natural world in Oakland County and beyond.